The University of Malta launched Saħħtek – Health and Well-being, a cross-sectional survey which kicks off this month.

Held at Medical School at Mater Dei Hospital, the launch was attended by University rector Juanito Camilleri together with Sarah Cuschieri and Julian Mamo, project coordinator and chairman respectively.

Julian Sammut, trustee of The Alfred Mizzi Foundation, main sponsors of Saħħtek, praised the initiative, saying the foundation was pleased to be helping out, especially since it was celebrating its centenary next year. Other major sponsors include the University’s Research and Innovation Development Trust and Atlas Insurance.

The aim is to study in greater detail the burden of this condition

Saħħtek will focus mainly on diabetes, a disease that afflicts a large proportion of the Maltese population. The aim is to study in greater detail the burden of this condition and to take a closer look at related risk factors.

Saħħtek will be complementing the European Health Interview Survey, a generic health study currently underway by the Directorate for Health Information and Research within the Health Ministry, and presenting an opportunity for synergies between the two research initiatives to study diabetes better.

The project team will be visiting various localities, using facilities provided by health clinics and health centres to perform check-ups and collect information from a representative sample of people chosen randomly by the National Statistics Office.

The aim is to obtain a good estimate of the prevalence of diabetes, both diagnosed and undiagnosed, together with the related conditions of obesity and hypertension, as well as the levels of physical activity, tobacco consumption and nutritional intakes.

The study will also explore risk factors and identify links with lifestyle and genetics.